MUMBAI/PUNE: The state government is considering opening gymnasiums and non-AC salons and allowing shops to operate on both sides of the roads by June end, Mumbai's city guardian minister Aslam Shaikh said on Thursday. He added that offices would be allowed to call up to 30% of employees to work. However, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar told TOI separately that no decision had been taken on further relaxations in the state.
"This could be his (Shaikh's) viewpoint, but decisions on these matters will be taken only after assessing the situation of Covid-19 cases in the state, especially in Mumbai and Pune. We also need to wait for guidelines from the Centre," Pawar told TOI.
The new easing of restrictions would come into effect from July 1, Shaikh said, citing the pick-up in the economy and plateauing of the pandemic in Mumbai to back his claim. However, train travel would continue to be limited to state government employees and health workers, he said.
Mumbai guardian minister upbeat, but shop owners not enthused
The time for doubling of cases is now 24 days. We are watching the situation and if the doubling time further improves, then we will allow shops on both sides of the road to open every day, and gymnasiums and non-AC salons to resume operations,” he said.
Shaikh said the government was even considering reducing the containment zone size. “If there is an infected person, only 15-20 persons who are high-risk contacts will be quarantined.” Shaikh said more people would be allowed to attend offices. At present it is 15% in government offices and 10% in private concerns. This would be increased to 30%.
But shop owners are not enthused by the government’s proposal. “Unless full-fledged public transport services resume, it will be difficult for us to conduct business. Our workers find it difficult to come to work, most of them live in the far-off suburbs and travel 3-3.5 hours one way. Most shops have not opened for this reason alone,” said Viren Shah, president, Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association.
Dr Shashank Joshi, member of the state task force on handling the Covid-19 pandemic, said the further opening up of the economy would be a welcome step, but has to be done in an extremely careful manner. “The doubling time for cases has improved but mortality is still high. The decision must be taken backed by data and should be done wardwise. Only if the doubling time in a ward has crossed 40-45 days should more opening be allowed,” he said.
Ajit Pawar, while describing Shaikh’s remarks as his personal views, however, asserted that the economy has to improve and “keeping things shut for long will not help”.
(Reporting by Clara Lewis in Mumbai, Nisha Nambiar & Prasad Kulkarni in Pune)
"This could be his (Shaikh's) viewpoint, but decisions on these matters will be taken only after assessing the situation of Covid-19 cases in the state, especially in Mumbai and Pune. We also need to wait for guidelines from the Centre," Pawar told TOI.
The new easing of restrictions would come into effect from July 1, Shaikh said, citing the pick-up in the economy and plateauing of the pandemic in Mumbai to back his claim. However, train travel would continue to be limited to state government employees and health workers, he said.
Mumbai guardian minister upbeat, but shop owners not enthused
The time for doubling of cases is now 24 days. We are watching the situation and if the doubling time further improves, then we will allow shops on both sides of the road to open every day, and gymnasiums and non-AC salons to resume operations,” he said.
Shaikh said the government was even considering reducing the containment zone size. “If there is an infected person, only 15-20 persons who are high-risk contacts will be quarantined.” Shaikh said more people would be allowed to attend offices. At present it is 15% in government offices and 10% in private concerns. This would be increased to 30%.
But shop owners are not enthused by the government’s proposal. “Unless full-fledged public transport services resume, it will be difficult for us to conduct business. Our workers find it difficult to come to work, most of them live in the far-off suburbs and travel 3-3.5 hours one way. Most shops have not opened for this reason alone,” said Viren Shah, president, Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association.
Dr Shashank Joshi, member of the state task force on handling the Covid-19 pandemic, said the further opening up of the economy would be a welcome step, but has to be done in an extremely careful manner. “The doubling time for cases has improved but mortality is still high. The decision must be taken backed by data and should be done wardwise. Only if the doubling time in a ward has crossed 40-45 days should more opening be allowed,” he said.
Ajit Pawar, while describing Shaikh’s remarks as his personal views, however, asserted that the economy has to improve and “keeping things shut for long will not help”.
(Reporting by Clara Lewis in Mumbai, Nisha Nambiar & Prasad Kulkarni in Pune)
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